Sometimes you don’t get a second chance. Our ecosystem is resilient and we have put it through quite a test, especially with intense conventional agricultural practices (fertilizers, chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides). For the most part, up until a decade ago, even this unsustainable methodology of growing plants was at least something that could be eventually mitigated and developed into alternative means of farming (i.e. low-intensity, no-till, natural and organic methods).
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) and genetically engineered (GE) substances – specifically seeds and crops – are a whole different issue. The genetic modification of ANY seed, could never be tested enough to see and understand if it is safe. But, no need to worry, we are now experimenting on ourselves, because much of the corn and soybean products that we may eventually consume already have genetically modified ingredients.
However, Monsanto now wants to use a GE alfalfa. Alfalfa is used as forage for cows that produce milk. Organic farmers who rely on organic alfalfa have reason for their concern of this GE alfalfa – once the product is in the environment, it can easily be spread around the entire ecosystem, thus destroying the potential for NON-GE anything. (We have yet to see the current impact of all of the GE-products already in our ecosystem.)
Want to read more? Visit Food Safety News, and call your congressmen to make sure this does not get into our environment! Ask them to sign on to the
“Dear Colleague Letter to USDA about Banning GE Alfalfa”
Senators should contact:
Adrienne Wojciechowski, Sen. Leahy’s office;
Adrienne.w@judiciary-dem.senate.gov
House Representatives should contact:
Emily Rohlffs in Rep. DeFazio’s office
emily.rohlffs@mail.house.gov
– Joni Cave
